The Indian Science Congress Association

The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) is a premier scientific organisation of the country established in 1914. ISCA has been promoting science and inculcating the spirit of science through its multifarious activities.

ISCA meets in the first week of January in an Annual Congress of scientists, science administrators, policy makers and the general public to give a stronger impulse and a more systematic direction to the scientific inquiry, to promote the interaction of societies and individuals interested in science in different parts of the country and to obtain a more general attention to the objects of pure and applied sciences.

ISCA brings together scientists both from India and abroad for mutual interaction in the cause of national development.

Annual Congress of the Association has been held every year ever since 1914 with a very distinguished scientist as its General President.

The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) owes its origin to the foresight and initiative of two British Chemists, namely, Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P.S. MacMahon.

It occurred to them that scientific research in India might be stimulated if an annual meeting of research workers somewhat on the lines of the British Association for the Advancement of Science could be arranged.

1St Indian Science Congress 1914
The first meeting of the Congress was held from January 15-17, 1914 at the premises of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta, with the Honourable Justice Sir Asutosh Mukherjee, the then Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University, as President.

One hundred and five scientists from different parts of India and abroad attended and the papers numbering 35 were divided into six sections-Botany, Chemistry, Ethnography, Geology, Physics, Zoology under six Sectional Presidents.

Thousands of years before Christ, man lighted fire for the first time, and since then the progress of human civilization started. The prosperity and progress of a civilization is always dependent on its unending quest for discovery and innovations.

India was the cradle of two marvellous ancient civilizations of Harappa and Mohen-jo-Darowhose Science and Technology still fascinates the modern world. The civilization that is built upon the foundation of science and technology will progress, prosper and reach the zenith.

Today, India is emerging strongly as a developing country, its economy is getting stronger, it should not be forgotten that the contribution of Science and Technology has helped India immensely to achieve this feat.

102nd ISCA session was at Mumbai in the year 2015 with the theme of Science and Technology for Human Development.

103rd Indian Science Congress 2016 was held at Mysore in Karnataka state, hosted by the University of Mysore.
The focal theme of this session is “Science & Technology for Indigenous Development in India,” ISCA (Indian Science Congress Association) was established in the year 1914 with the sole motto of illuminating the path of science and technology in our country.

Present General President of ISCA is Ashok Kumar Saxena. Prime Minister of India Sri. D NarendraModi calling on Indian scientists to keep the economy, environment, energy, empathy and equity at the heart of their endeavours in the interest of impactful science.

The Association was formed with the following objectives

To advance and promote the cause of science in India; To hold an annual Congress at a suitable place in India; To publish such proceedings, journals, transactions and other publications as may be considered desirable; To secure and manage funds and endowments for the promotion of Science including the rights of Disposing of, or selling all or any portion of the properties of the association; To do and perform any or all other acts, matters and things as are conducive to, or incidental to, or necessary for, the above objectives.

Focal theme of Indian Science Congress

104th Indian Science Congress: Focal theme - Science & Technology for National Development) Hosted by SV University, Tirupati from 3-7 January 2017.

103rd Indian Science Congress was hosted by University of Mysore, Mysore from 3-7 January 2016 Focal theme - Science & Technology for Indigenous Development in India

102nd Indian Science Congress was hosted by University of Mumbai , Mumbai from 3-7 Jan 2015 Focal theme - Science & Technology for Human Development

101st Indian Science Congress, hosted by University of Jammu, Jammu, 3-7 February 2014 Focal theme - Innovations in Science & Technology for Inclusive Development

100th Indian Science Congress, hosted by University of Kolkata, Kolkata, 3-7 January, 2013 Focal theme- Science for Shaping the Future of India

99th Indian Science Congress, was hosted by KIIT University and NISER, Bhubaneswar, 3-7 January, 2012 Focal theme- Science and Technology for Inclusive Innovation - Role of Women

98th Indian Science Congress, hosted by SRM University, Chennai, 3-7 January, 2011 Focal theme - Quality Education and Excellence in Science Research in Indian Universities

97th Indian Science Congress, hosted by Tiruvananthapuram, 3-7 January, 2010 Focal theme - Science & Technology challenges of 21st Century - National Perspective

96th Indian Science Congress, hosted by NEHU, Shillong, 3-7 January, 2009 Focal Theme "Science Education and attraction of Talent for Excellence in Research"

95th Indian Science Congress, hosted by Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, 3-7 January, 2008 Focal Theme "Knowledge Based Society Using Environmentally Sustainable Science And Technology"

94th Indian Science Congress, hosted by Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, 3-7 January, 2007 Focal Theme "Planet Earth"

93rd Indian Science Congress, hosted by Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad, 3-7 January, 2006 Focal Theme "Integrated Rural Development:Science and Technology"